One of the staunchest defenders of Theresa May’s deal has waded into the Backstop debate… on the side of Boris Johnson. For hacks who have endured months of Gibb’s impassioned defence of the agreement, this may come as a bit of a surprise…
Broadcasters have ignited a media spat with Number 10 over access to Theresa May, with Channels 4 and 5 particularly aggrieved about not getting time with the PM compared to the BBC. An indignant Michael Crick tweeted “if Number Ten is not careful it could soon look like the BBC has become the state broadcaster.”
May’s comms chief and former BBC exec Robbie Gibb was the recipient of a strongly-worded missive from the broadcasters earlier this afternoon:
Robbie wasn’t having any of it, hitting back with a long list of the PM’s recent interviews and challenging them over whether they’d made the same fuss over Corbyn last week:
Over to you, Channel 4…
Last week Robbie Gibb, the PM’s spin-doctor and former BBC politics supremo got into a spat with Krishnan Guru-Murthy:
Guido doesn’t think Krishnan’s interviewing style is anything like Jon “F**k the Tories“ Snow, he suspects Robbie has however got an impression of Krishnan’s thinking from moments like this on Friday night:
Krishnan Guru-Murthy let slip his position when he was talking to Labour Party MP Louise Ellman and Labour Party campaigner Owen Jones:
“… isn’t it weird for a man [Frank Field] who was seen as so sort of anti our position on immigration to now claim that the Labour Party is seen as racist?”
Oops… is it any wonder Robbie doesn’t put government ministers and MPs on Channel 4 News?
UPDATE: Krishnan responds
I meant “our” as shorthand for very broadly government/opposition (who have both allowed large scale EU and Non-EU migration) but I agree I should have been more precise so was open to be understood the way you did (which is totally not what I meant).
Suella appears to be in some kind of “Brexit Minister Protection Programme”. Escorted by Theresa May’s director of communications Robbie Gibb. Is that a thumb screw in Robbie’s pocket?
Hat-tip: Clip via Tom Rayner @RaynerSkyNews
Entries in the comments…
It’s been a privilege to work for the BBC. I will always be a supporter because of its values and commitment to impartiality.
— Robbie Gibb (@RobbieGibb) July 6, 2017
As tipped by Guido here…
UPDATE: Katy Searle replaces Gibb as Head of BBC Westminster.
Theresa May still does not have a Director of Communications following the departure of Katie Perrior at the election. There is a feeling in the government that she needs a star hire to communicate with the media and bring some gravitas to Number 10. As ever Guido brings you your runners and riders…
- Chris Wilkins: May’s strategy chief was lined up for the role and has been filling in over the last few weeks. Highly regarded in Number 10. But it looks like they’re going for someone else…
- Robbie Gibb: Head of BBC Westminster and boss of the Beeb’s main political programmes. Would bring much-needed broadcast news judgement and experience. Being tipped by government figures. [UPDATE: And The Sun.]
- James Landale: Tipped by the Spectator as the celeb signing. His name has been doing the rounds among excitable Tories. Old Etonian…
- James Slack: May’s civil service spokesman was linked to the job. Gets on well with the Lobby and has been holding things together in Number 10 at times. But he is said to be staying put as PMOS.
- Joey Jones: Has been more nuanced in his criticisms of the May regime compared to other former colleagues. A pro with important broadcast experience. Doubt they can afford him.
- Iain Dale: Experienced, former chief of staff for David Davis, could ease the transition of power? Very pro-Theresa May…
- Laura Kuenssberg: If you believe the Corbynistas…
Good luck…
A restructuring of the BBC’s Millbank operation is underway following the departure of Sue Inglish. Media Guido understands James Harding has closed her post of Head of Political Programmes and is creating a new ‘Head of BBC Westminster’. Congratulations are in order to Robbie Gibb, who is stepping up to take on the role in addition to his current job in charge of Live Political Programmes. He’s the Gibb on the right…
